The unusual flowers of Orange Annona Fitzalania heteropetala (photo above) caught the eye of our president while walking along riverside tracks in Douglas. One specimen was in full bloom with “flowers a deep, velvety purple, so dark they were almost black, glowing richly against the greenery”.
Fitzalania heteropetala (Annonaceae), also known as Meiogyne heteropetala, is endemic to Queensland. It grows naturally in lowland vine thickets (centre plant in photo above) and drier rainforest, where it’s typically seen as a moderate to tall shrub, slowly developing into a small tree.
The foliage of Fitzalania heteropetala (photo above) is distinctive with alternate leaves along its slightly zig-zag branches.
The oval-shaped leaves (photo above) have very short petioles and distinct venation.
Fitzalania heteropetala produces bright orange fruits (photo above) that are reported to be edible although unremarkable in flavour and texture.
Fitzalania heteropetala is seldom seen in cultivation but some of our local members have specimens growing well in their gardens, in sun or shade. The flowering specimens spotted by our president were likely planted by the local council.
Fitzalania heteropetala is a host plant for the pale green triangle butterfly Graphium eurypylus. Tucked among the leaves of that Douglas specimen, our president found a plump little Graphium eurypylus caterpillar happily munching away (photo above), “a quiet reminder that even a simple riverside walk can reveal a small but thriving world at work”.